Maramag Focus Group Discussio on Gender Based Violence Referral Mechanism October 3, 2019 Maramag, Bukidnon The MSWDO answered Abuse (physical, sexual, economic, psychological), Acts of Lasciviousness and Rape. They clarified that most of the economic abuse cases were about deprivation of child Support. The PNP WCPD Office narrated that cases they dealt with were Violations of the laws on Anti-VAWC and Anti-Voyeurism (peeping and video recording), Act of Lasciviousness and Concubinage. They remarked about the increased use of digital technology against women. The Provincial Prosecutor shared that the fiscals would receive complaints for Violation of the AntiVAWC Law and Anti-Rape Law. Anti VAWC cases ranged from physical violence against women, deprivation of child support, husbands with mistresses / concubines. Rape cases included cases against minors, incest victims and people with disabilities. Because victims included minors, there were also Violations of Child Protection Laws. The Provincial Prosecutor also remarked about a rising trend in charges of Adultery being filed against women by their husbands. At this point the SB Member posed a question to the CHR about any intervention from CHR on instances of desistance on the part of the wife-complainants which happens in many cases in Maramag. Atty. Palma said that even with desistance on complaints/cases, other interventions should still be extended to the wife such as economic support. She underscored the need for empowerment of women so that they continue with their complaints. CHR Special Investigator Cabana asked whether women can seek economic support and empowerment from the MSWDO which answered that they have trainings for women empowerment. The group was then asked by the facilitators what interventions and support they were able to provide: The MSWDO said that the first thing they do is to bring the victim to the PNP to ensure proper documentation. The MSWDO will then provide the victim with referrals for psychosocial and legal support. They said that they can provide counseling but they don‟t have a licensed psychologist at the moment. Regarding implementation of the 10:00PM Curfew for minors, the PNP said they start roving even before 10:00pm so that minors will be “reminded” to go home. If there are arrests, they bring those arrested to the police station for their safety and then turned over to the MSWDO. The MSWDO said that upon receiving arrested minors they conduct pre-assessment, contact their family, then release them to their families after some counseling. If the minors are not from Maramag then they will turn them over to the respective MSWDO of their hometowns. The Private Prosecutor shared of the challenge they face when LGU officials intervene in GBV cases and cited an instance where the barangay official brought AAA to the mayor‟s office who then arranged a phone interview for AAA by the local press in Cagayan de Oro. It was only after the call that AAA was sent to the PNP. The Provincial Prosecutor recommended that local government officials be reminded not to intervene in the investigation of GBV cases. The MSWDO also share that they know of GBV cases being “resolved for amicable settlement” by officials at the Barangay level. The group was asked which particular group of women are affected the most by gender based violence: The PNP WCPD Office said that sometimes that information is left blank in the intake form because the victim does not know what group or sector she belongs to. The group was asked about any trends in GBV cases that they noticed: The Provincial Prosecutor said that victims of VAWC cases were mostly from the “C and D” economic groups. Some are uneducated and there was a case involving a person with disability. He also Page 7 of 13